A contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29. What started as a way to save the Independence Valley Community Hall, the chicken races have been a tradition in the community for 49 years, according to local organizers.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs from a bundle of socks during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29. All money from the chicken races, raffle and food go towards the community hall.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant looks through chicken wire during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs around the arena during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Contestants scream as a chicken runs by during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Chickens wait to race during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Todd Fagernes places a chicken under a basket to race during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Chickens are picked out to race during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A sock misses a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Cody Reuge holds a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Swede Day Princess Jamie Arreglado keeps score alongside Princess Naomi Hayden during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant laughs while holding socks during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs around the arena during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs from a sock during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young girl climbs a cage with chickens during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Alana Wheeler-Doll holds a chicken for kids to pet during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Chris Guenther performs during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs from a net during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs from a sock during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A welcome sign hangs on the Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester during the Independence Valley Chicken Races on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Kids pet chickens during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Kids help pick chickens to race during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Terry Reuge commentates during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
People gather at the Independence Valley Community Hall for the Independence Valley Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Cody Reuge picks up a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Blakely Morris throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A young contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Paige Morris throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A contestant carries socks and a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken waits to be released during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
A chicken runs from a sock during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Chickens wait to race during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
Alana Wheeler-Doll holds a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.
Ridley Hudson | ridley@chronline.com
